A tasty, cheap tonkatsu lunch in Tokyo’s high-end Kagurazaka district

Arabiki menchi katsu” (coarsely-ground minced pork cutlet) lunch set.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

In Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district, visitors can stroll the elegant French atmosphere while they enjoy shopping, fancy cafés and patisseries along the district’s main and side streets. The area is an excellent spot to enjoy a nice meal, whether you’re in the mood for a coffee and French pastry or something more hearty.

During a recent visit, I stopped at Kagurazaka Sakura, a chain known for its generous tonkatsu pork cutlets. The shop is conveniently located along the sloping main street, an ideal spot to take a break for a tasty lunch.

Inside, the restaurant has a clean, cozy interior with wooden ceilings and walls, large wooden tables and dim lighting. The spacious dining area with a counter and tables can accommodate more than 50 customers at a time.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

After I was seated at a large table, I ordered an “arabiki menchi katsu” (coarsely-ground minced pork cutlet) lunch set for 990 yen ($6.50).

With my order, the server brought a plate of shredded cabbage and a cup of tea. So, I munched on the crispy, sweet cabbage while waiting for the minced pork cutlet. Within 10 minutes, my beautifully deep-fried, golden cutlet arrived with miso soup, steamed rice and pickles on the side.

The large, minced pork cutlet was crisp but tender enough to cut through with chopsticks. On my first bite, bursts of flavor exploded from the soft and carefully prepared cutlet.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

A plate of shredded cabbage and a cup of tea.

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi / Stripes Japan)

According to the server, the restaurant uses Ooshanton pork from Tochigi Prefecture for their flavorful cutlet dishes. The cuts are breaded with homemade natural yeast breadcrumbs, the server added.

At the table, diners can choose from dry Worcestershire sauce, light Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or rock salt to dip their crisp-to-perfection cutlets. I prefer soy because I know it adds even more depth to the dish.

Throughout the meal, servers walked around offering free rice, miso soup and cabbage refills to all the customers. A very good deal for less than 1,000 yen!

Kagurazaka Sakura is a great option if you’re planning to do a lot of walking in the Kagurazaka district. Since the chain has about 45 shops throughout the nation, you can easily find one near you, too, by checking its website.

Kagurazaka Sakura